Free gardening workshops in Islington

In partnership with Islington in Bloom , the National Trust are offering Islington residents free gardening workshops as part of their 'Sky Garden Challenge 2026 '.

The workshops take place across Islington in May and July 2026.

Free gardening events

Basics workshops 

• Friday, 15 May from 6-8pm at Andover Community Centre 
• Saturday, 16 May from 10:30am-12:30pm at Elizabeth House Community Centre 
• Sunday, 17 May from 10am-12pm at King’s Square Community Centre

Family-friendly gardening activities

• Saturday, 23 May from 10am-2pm at Angel Central Shopping Centre

Food growing workshops 

• Friday, 29 May from 6-8pm at Birchmore Hall Community Centre 
• Saturday, 30 May from 10am-12pm at King’s Square Community Centre 
• Sunday, 31 May from 3:30pm-5:30pm at Caxton House Community Centre 

One pot power for pollinators workshops 

• Friday, 10 July from 6-8pm at Andover Community Centre 
• Saturday, 11 July from 10am-12pm at King’s Square Community Centre 
• Sunday, 12 July from 10am-12pm at Birchmore Hall Community Centre 

About the events

The events will be delivered by Mark Ridsill Smith AKA Vertical Veg , and Chauntelle Lewis AKA The Barefoot Planter , experts in all things gardening and food growing.

The basics workshops will be an introduction to small space gardening, covering how to use materials you might already have and how to pick the right plants for where you live.

The Food growing workshops will share tips and tricks for growing food in small spaces, and the one pot power for pollinators workshops will explore how you can support pollinators with just one plant pot.

All the workshops will include practical activities and free resources for participants to take away. Booking is encouraged as there are limited spaces. Sign up for a free event by using the links on the Sky Gardening Challenge 2026 webpage . 

What is the Sky Gardening Challenge?

National Trust’s Sky Gardening Challenge is a free national competition encouraging people who live in flats and apartments in urban areas to start sowing seeds, planting pots for or adding a window box – for nature and their own wellbeing. And this year it has been expanding to London.

Who can take part?

The competition is for anyone who lives in a flat or apartment and fancies giving gardening a go. No gardening experience is necessary; you just need access to a window or a private outdoor space. You can find out more and sign up for the Sky Gardening Challenge 2026 competition on the National Trust's website .